Linux Journal Press Releases "Linux in the Workplace" Under GNU FDL

NEW YORK, NY -- Linux Journal Press, an imprint of No Starch Press in partnership with Linux Journal, has announced that "Linux in the Workplace" will be released under the GNU Free Documentation License (FDL).

The book's contents will be linked from
http://www.nostarch.com/
and http://www.linuxjournal.com/ beginning
on February 15, 2003, the fourth anniversary of Windows Refund Day.
This marks the third release from No Starch Press in an open format
and the second under a free license. Linux Journal Press also
published "The Linux Cookbook", by Michael Stutz, in 2001 under the
Design Science License (DSL) and "Programming Linux Games", by John
R. Hall, in a freely available format in 2002.

Written by the Linux Journal staff,
"Linux in the Workplace" focuses on Linux desktop tools and how to
use them in an office environment. Don Marti, editor-in-chief of
Linux Journal, emphasizes the free software
focus of "Linux in the Workplace" when he explains, "The free
software desktop is infinitely customizable, and gives companies
and users the ability to add any functionality. A license as free
as the software is necessary to keep the information up-to-date and
accurate."

This most recent release under the GNU FDL underscores the
wealth of content now available under an open license. Bill
Pollock, No Starch Press publisher, explains, "GNU Press published
free books before anyone, and there are a handful of publishers who
will risk the time and effort to openly publish a book. We are
willing to take that risk because the benefits of a larger audience
outweigh the potential loss of readers that choose not to buy the
book." Bradley Kuhn, Executive Director of the Free Software
Foundation, is pleased to see publishers that appreciate the
commercial benefits of free publishing. "Free publishing is a
perfect fit for the technical book market. We designed the GNU FDL
specifically to address commercial concerns that publishers may
have with free publishing." The decision to release "Linux in the
Workplace" under the GNU FDL was an easy one. Phil Hughes, the
publisher of Linux Journal, notes, "As
publishers of documentation rather than software, publishing under
the FDL is a logical way for us to maximize our contribution to the
Open Source movement."

Michael Stutz, the architect of the DSL, was enthused to
write for a publisher willing to consider an open license. "When I
was writing The Linux Cookbook, releasing a book with a 'copyleft'
license was unheard of; few publishers would consider it and even
fewer had attempted it." John R. Hall released his book online
after the initial publication, with positive results. "Everyone
benefits from open publishing," says Hall. "Authors enjoy wider
audiences, publishers realize more sales from free advertising, and
readers get the high-quality electronic books they deserve."
According to Pollock, the decision is up to the author. "We prefer
that authors choose their own license when publishing with us,
recognizing that not all authors are comfortable with an open
license. As long as there are authors who want their works
published openly, and as long as the books sell, then we see no
reason to stop."

About Linux Journal
PressLinux Journal Press publishes books on cutting-edge
Open Source topics that help to advance the acceptance and
usability of Open Source software. An imprint of No Starch Press
(http://www.nostarch.com/),
Linux Journal Press titles are developed in partnership with
Linux Journal
(http://www.linuxjournal.com/).

About No Starch PressSince
1994, No Starch Press has published unique and sometimes fringe
books on computing topics, with a focus on Open Source, security,
hacking, web development, programming, gaming, and alternative
operating systems. Our titles have personality, our authors are
passionate, and our goal is to make computing fun and accessible
for everyone.

About Linux
JournalLinux Journal is the premier
Linux magazine, dedicated to serving the Linux community and
promoting the use of Linux world-wide. A monthly periodical,
Linux Journal is currently celebrating its
eighth year of publication. Linux Journal may
be purchased at all major bookstores and newsstands and may also be
ordered by calling 1-888-66-LINUX, sending e-mail to
subs@ssc.com or visiting
http://www.linuxjournal.com/. For additional
information about Linux Journal send e-mail to
linux@ssc.com.